Rack cabinet

ABSTRACT

A mobile rack cabinet includes an enclosure having an opening. A rail rack support assembly is mounted to and within the enclosure for support of rack-mounted electronic components. A retractable door is movably coupled to the enclosure for movement between a first closed position in which the door substantially covers the opening, an extended position in which the door is extended from the enclosure, and a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure. The door is coupled to the enclosure by first and second pivot pins. The pivot pins are received in rail support tracks. Each rail support track includes a seat in which the pivot pins are rotatably received. To move the door from the extended position to the retracted position, the door must be lifted upwards to move the pivot pins out of the seats.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cabinets adapted to house electronic components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide cabinets for the storage of rack-mounted electronic components. Most existing cabinets have a conventional hinged door that swings open and closed.

It is believed that a novel mobile cabinet having a rail rack support assembly adapted to support rack-mounted electronic components, and also having a pivoting door capable of being moved into a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a mobile rack cabinet comprising an enclosure having at least one opening. A plurality of wheels are operatively coupled to the enclosure for rolling engagement with a supporting surface. A rail rack support assembly is mounted to and located within the enclosure for support of electronic components. A retractable door is preferably sized and shaped to complement and close off the opening and is movably coupled to the enclosure.

First and second pivot pins are coupled to the door. First and second rail supports are mounted within the enclosure. Each rail support has a track sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins. The tracks have a first end and a second end. A seat is formed within the track near the second end and is recessed relative to an immediately adjacent portion of the track (i.e., the seat defines a recessed portion of the track.) The seat is sized and shaped to releasably receive one of the pivot pins and to form a receptacle in which the pivot pin may rotate. The door may be moved between a first closed position in which the door substantially covers or closes off the at least one opening, an extended position in which the door is pivoted away and extended from the enclosure, and a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure. As the door is moved between the closed position and the extended position, the door pivots about the first and second pivot pins rotatably received within the seats of the first and second rail tracks, respectively. As the door is moved from the extended position into the retracted position, the door must be lifted upwards to move the first and second pivot pins out of the seats and the door must be pushed substantially horizontally to allow the first and second pivot pins to move from the second ends of the tracks to the first ends of the tracks.

In a second aspect, the invention is a mobile rack cabinet comprising an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a forward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, with at least one opening being provided within the forward wall. A plurality of wheels are operatively coupled to the enclosure for rolling engagement with a supporting surface. A rail rack support assembly is mounted to and within the enclosure for the support of electronic components. A retractable door preferably has a generally planar body with a first face, a second face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a lower edge, and an upper edge. The body is preferably sized and shaped to complement the opening.

A first pivot pin is coupled to the door body proximate the lower edge along the first side edge and a second guide pin is coupled to the body proximate the lower edge along the second side edge. A first and a second rail support are each mounted and within the enclosure proximate the bottom wall. Each rail support has a track sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins. The tracks have a first end near the rear wall and a second end near the forward wall. A seat is formed within the track near the second end and is recessed toward the bottom wall relative to an immediately adjacent portion of the track. The seat is sized and shaped to releasably receive one of the pivot pins and to form a receptacle in which the pivot pin may rotate.

The door may be moved between a first closed position in which the door substantially covers the opening, an extended position in which the door is pivoted away and extended from the front wall, and a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure. As the door is moved between the closed position and the extended position, the door pivots about the first and second pivot pins rotatably received within the seats of the first and second rail tracks, respectively. As the door is moved from the extended position into the retracted position, the door must be lifted upwards to move the first and second pivot pins out of the seats and the door must be pushed horizontally to allow the first and second pivot pins to move from the second ends of the tracks to the first ends of the tracks.

Preferably, the mobile rack cabinet further comprises a mounting arm connected to the enclosure for supporting a computer display device. The enclosure may include a plurality of vent holes. The enclosure may include at least one knockout panel to provide an opening to accommodate installation of a switch. The door may include a lock allowing the door to be locked in the closed position. Preferably, the first and second pivot pins are movably coupled to the door for movement between a first pin position and a second pin position, the first and second pivot pins each being biased into the first pin position by a biasing member, wherein in the first pin position, the first and second pivot pins are positioned for engagement with the rail support tracks and in the second pin position the first and second pivot pins are moved out of engagement with the rail support tracks such that the door may be detached from the enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form of the invention which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a mobile rack cabinet in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and further illustrating a retractable door of the cabinet in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, illustrating the door of the cabinet in an extended position.

FIG. 2A is a enlarged detail view of a pivot pin coupled to the retractable door of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, illustrating the door in a retracted position.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the cabinet of FIG. 3, with a rear door omitted.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cabinet of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged detail view of a first end of a track of a rail support of the cabinet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged detail view of a second end of the track of the rail support of the cabinet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5C is a side view of the track of the rail support of the cabinet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, showing the retractable door in a position between the closed position and the extended position.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged detail view of the second end of the track of the rail support of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6A a presently preferred embodiment of a mobile rack cabinet having a tilt-out, retractable door. The mobile rack cabinet, (or “cabinet”), identified generally by reference numeral 10, preferably comprises an enclosure 20, a rail rack support assembly, the retractable door 60, rail supports 100 and a computer display device mounting arm 110. The cabinet 10 is preferably used to house rack-mounted electronic components.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, the enclosure 20 preferably has a top wall 22, a bottom wall 24, a forward wall 26, a rear wall 28, a first side wall 30 and a second side wall 32. At least one opening 34 is provided within the forward wall 26. Preferably, a plurality of wheels 36 are operatively coupled to the enclosure 20 for rolling engagement with a supporting surface. The enclosure may include a plurality of vent holes 38 to facilitate natural convective cooling of the electronic components (not illustrated). One or more handles 40 connected to an exterior of the enclosure 20 may be provided to facilitate movement of the enclosure 20. The enclosure 20 may include at least one, and preferably a plurality of knockout panels 46 to accommodate passage of cables into and out of the enclosure or to provide an opening to accommodate installation of a switch.

Preferably, the rear wall 28 is provided with a rear wall opening 42, and with a rear door 44 movably connected to the enclosure 20 to selectively cover and uncover the rear wall opening 42.

The retractable door 60 is provided to selectively cover and uncover the forward wall opening 34. The retractable door 60 is sized and shaped to fit within or over the forward wall opening 34, thus closing off the opening. The retractable door 60 is movably coupled to the enclosure 20, and moves between a closed position 62, an extended position 64 and a retracted position 66. The retractable door 60 preferably has a generally planar body 68 having a first face 70, a second face 72, a first side edge 74, a second side edge 76, a lower edge 78, and an upper edge 80. The retractable door 60 preferably includes a lock 82, allowing the door 60 to be locked in the closed position 62.

The door 60 is preferably coupled to the enclosure 20 along the lower edge 78 by engagement of a first pivot pin 84 and a second pivot pin 86 with tracks 102 of two rail supports 100. The first pivot pin 84 is coupled to the door body 68 preferably near the lower edge 78 along the first side edge 74. The second pivot pin 86 is coupled to the door body 68 preferably near the lower edge 78 along the second side edge 76. With particular reference to FIG. 2A, preferably the first and second pivot pins 84, 86 are movably coupled to the door body 68 for movement between a first pin position 90 and a second pin position (not illustrated). The first and second pivot pins 84, 86 are preferably biased into the first pin position 90 by a biasing member, preferably a spring 88, (e.g., spring pins). In the first pin position 90, the first and second pivot pins are positioned so as to engage with the rail support tracks 102. In the second pin position (not illustrated), the pins are translated inward toward (into) the sides of the door, thus moving the ends of the first and second pivot pins 84, 86 out of engagement with the rail support tracks 102. This position of the pivot pins permits the door 60 may be detached from the enclosure 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot pins 84, 86 include handles 87 that permit a user to easily grasp with a finger and slide laterally.

First and second rail supports 100 are mounted to and within the enclosure 20. The first rail support 100 is preferably mounted along an interior face of the first side wall 30 and the second rail support 100 is mounted along an interior face of the second side wall 32. Each rail support 100 includes a track 102. The tracks 102 are sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins 84, 86, as discussed above. Each track 102 has a first end 104 and a second end 106. In their first position, the pivot pins 84, 86 are engaged with the tracks such that the pins move within and are guided by the tracks 102 between the first and second ends 104, 106.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-6A, a seat 108 is formed with each track 102 near the second end 106. The seat 108 is recessed relative to an immediately adjacent portion of the track 102, i.e., the seat is a downward or depressed section of the track 102. The seat 108 is sized and shaped to releasably receive one of the pivot pins 84 or 86. The seat 108 forms a receptacle in which the pivot pin 84 or 86 may rotate as the door 60 moves between the closed position 62 and the extended position 64. Since the seat 108 is recessed relative to the immediately adjacent portion of the track 102, in order to move the door 60 from the extended position 64 to the retracted position 66, the door 60 must first be lifted upwards to move the first and second pivot pins 84, 86 out of the seats 108, and then the door 60 must also be pushed substantially horizontally to allow the first and second pivot pins 84, 86 to move from the track second ends 106 to the track first ends 104. The tracks 102 also operate to limit the rearward movement of the door by defining a stop at the first end 104 of the track against which the pivot pins 84, 86 contact, thus inhibiting further transition of the door into the enclosure.

The seat 108 operates to fully lock the bottom of the door 60 in place when the door is in the closed position 62. That is, with the door in the closed position 62, a person pushing on the bottom of the door would not be able to push the bottom inwardly into the cabinet 10, as such motion would be resisted by the seats 108. If the tracks 102 were linear, without seats 108, the bottom of the door 60 could be pushed inwardly with the door in the closed position 62. Furthermore, with particular reference to FIG. 5C, the track 102 in the area of the seat 108 slopes slightly rearwardly. This rearward inclination allows the pivot pins 84, 86 to “roll” up the incline when the door 60 is moved from the fully extended position 64 to the retracted position 66. The inclination tends to mitigate damage to components of the cabinet 10 if the door 60 is unknowingly pushed hard in a horizontal direction (without a simultaneous lifting motion) to move the door 60 to the retracted position 66.

Furthermore, as can be seen in FIGS. 5B and 5C, each track 102 includes a sloped portion 109 that extends downwardly and rearwardly. This sloped portion 109 facilitates rearward sliding of the door, once the door is transitioned upward the necessary distance to disengage from the seat, by allowing the natural force of gravity to help transition the door backward.

The retractable door 60 is, thus, supported along the lower edge 78 by the first and second pivot pins 84, 86. As the door 60 is moving between the extended and retracted positions, there is a tendency for the second face 72 of the door 60 to scrape against a forward edge of the enclosure 20 near the bottom wall 24. In order to mitigate the potential for scratching or marring of the finish on the door second face 72, one or more bumpers 92 is provided near the forward edge. The bumper 92 is preferably fabricated from a relatively soft, pliant, non-marking material to protect the finish of the door 60. With the door 60 in a position between the fully extended position 64 and the retracted position 66, if the door 60 is not supported by a user, the door 60 tends to pitch downward at the top edge 80. In this pitched orientation (not illustrated), the door 60 tends to rest on the bumpers 92.

It would be possible to modify the bumpers 92 or to provide separate structures that would operate to lift the door 60 lower edge 78 and the pivot pins 84, 86 when the door 60 is moved to the extended position 64, thus facilitating movement of the pins 84, 86 out of the track seats 108. For example, cam surfaces could be provided that would partially or fully move the pins 84, 86 out of the seats 108 as the door 60 is rotated while fully extended from the enclosure 20.

The enclosure 20 houses a rail rack support assembly adapted to receive a plurality of rack-mounted electronic components (not shown). Preferably, a first electronic component rack rail 50 is separately pre-formed and subsequently connected to the enclosure 20 near the second side wall 32 toward the forward wall 26. Further preferably, a second electronic component rack rail 52 is formed integrally within a portion of the side wall 32 toward the rear wall 28. The first rack rail 50 provides a plurality of tapped 10-32 (size 10 screws, 32 threads per inch) holes, while the second rack rail 52 provides a plurality of holes adapted to receive Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) standard 10-32 cage nuts. The first and second rack rails thus form one side of forward and rear racks. Opposing third and fourth electronic component rack rails (not clearly illustrated) are connected to the enclosure 20 proximate the first side wall 30 and similarly form a second side of forward and rear racks. Together, the first through fourth rack rails form the rail rack support assembly. The rail rack support assembly allows for ready installation of rack-mounted electronic components within the enclosure.

With reference once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting arm 110 may be mounted to a work surface (not illustrated) connected to the enclosure 20 for supporting a computer display device 112. The work surface (not illustrated) is preferably fabricated from a material conventionally used in furniture manufacture, such as wood or a polymeric material. The top wall 22 includes a knock out panel 114 which when removed creates an opening in the top wall 22 to allow cables to pass from the interior of the cabinet 10 to the computer display device 112.

Preferably, the mobile rack cabinet 10 is sized to fit within the leg opening of an office desk. In particular, it is desirable that an overall width W of the enclosure not exceed approximately 23 inches, an overall height H of the enclosure not exceed approximately 28 inches, and an overall depth D of the enclosure not exceed approximately 26 inches.

Further preferably, the front wall 26 of the enclosure 20 is sloped rearwardly from the bottom to the top at an angle of approximately 15 degrees. The slope enhances the ability of a user in a standing position to see a forward portion of electronic components (not illustrated) mounted in the rail rack support assembly. Also, the rearward slant of the door helps maintain the door in the closed position, inhibiting it from inadvertently swinging open.

In operation, electronic components (not illustrated) are installed in the mobile rack cabinet 10, mounted in the rail rack support assembly. When access to the electronic components is not required, the door 60 may be placed in the closed position 62, and the door 60 locked using the lock 82 to prevent tampering, mis-use, or theft. When access to the electronic components is needed, the door 60 may be unlocked and moved into the retracted position 66. As discussed above, in moving the door 60 from the closed position 62 to the extended position 64, the first and second pivot pins 84, 86 rotate within the seats 108. In moving the door 60 from the extended position 64 to the retracted position 66, the pivot pins 84, 86 must be lifted out of the seats 108 so that the pivot pins 84, 86 may progress down the tracks 102 toward the track first ends 104. In moving the door 60 from the retracted position 66 to the closed position 62, the door 60 is pulled away from a remainder of the cabinet 10, such that the pivot pins 84, 86 are moved through the tracks 102 into the seats 108. The door 60 is then rotated into the closed position 62.

The present invention provides a unique mobile rack cabinet with a rail rack support assembly adapted to support rack-mounted electronic components, As discussed above, the cabinet has a pivoting door which is capable of being moved into a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. 

1. A mobile rack cabinet comprising: an enclosure having at least one opening; a plurality of wheels operatively coupled to the enclosure for rolling engagement with a supporting surface; a rail rack support assembly mounted to and within the enclosure for supporting electronic components; a retractable door sized and shaped to fit within the opening; first and second pivot pins coupled to the door; first and second rail supports mounted to the enclosure within the enclosure, each rail support having: a track sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins, the track having a first end and a second end; and a seat formed within the track near the second end and recessed relative to an immediately adjacent portion of the track, the seat being sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins and to form a receptacle in which the pivot pin may rotate, wherein the door may be moved between a first closed position in which the door substantially covers the opening, an extended position in which the door is pivoted away from the enclosure, and a retracted position in which the door is at least partially retracted within the enclosure, wherein as the door is moved between the closed position and the extended position, the door pivots about the first and second pivot pins which rotate within the seats of the first and second rail tracks, respectively, and wherein as the door is moved from the extended position into the retracted position, the door must be lifted upwards to move the first and second pivot pins out of the seats and the door must be pushed substantially horizontally to allow the first and second pivot pins to move from the second ends of the tracks to the first ends of the tracks.
 2. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a mounting arm connected to the enclosure for supporting a computer display device.
 3. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of vent holes.
 4. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes at least one knockout panel to provide an opening to accommodate installation of a switch.
 5. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 1, wherein the door includes a lock allowing the door to be locked in the closed position.
 6. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 1, wherein the first and second pivot pins are movably coupled to the door for movement between a first pin position and a second pin position, the first and second pivot pins each being biased into the first pin position by a biasing member, wherein in the first pin position, the first and second pivot pins are extended so as to permit engagement with the rail support tracks and in the second pin position the first and second pivot pins are displaced toward door so as to permit disengagement with the rail support tracks such that the door may be detached from the enclosure.
 7. A mobile rack cabinet comprising: an enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a forward wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, at least one opening being provided within the forward wall; a rail rack support assembly mounted to and within the enclosure for the support of electronic components; a retractable door having a body with a first face, a second face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a lower edge, and an upper edge, the body being sized and shaped complementarily with the at least one opening; a first pivot pin coupled to the door body proximate the lower edge along the first side edge and a second guide pin coupled to the body proximate the lower edge along the second side edge; a first and a second rail support each mounted to the enclosure within the enclosure proximate the bottom wall, each rail support having: a track sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins, the track having a first end proximate the rear wall and a second end proximate the forward wall; and a seat formed within the track proximate the second end and recessed toward the bottom wall relative to an immediately adjacent portion of the track, the seat being sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins and to form a receptacle in which the pivot pin may rotate, wherein the door may be moved between a first closed position in which the door substantially covers the opening, an extended position in which the door is pivoted away from the front wall, and a retracted position in which the door is at least substantially retracted within the enclosure, wherein as the door is moved between the closed position and the extended position, the door pivots about the first and second pivot pins which rotate within the seats of the first and second rail tracks, respectively, and wherein as the door is moved from the extended position into the retracted position, the door must be lifted upwards to move the first and second pivot pins out of the seats and the door must be pushed horizontally to allow the first and second pivot pins to move from the second ends of the tracks to the first ends of the tracks.
 8. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 7, wherein the rail rack support assembly includes a first electronic component rack rail connected to the second side wall proximate the front wall, a second electronic component rack rail connected to the second side wall proximate the rear wall, a third electronic component rack rail connected to the first side wall proximate the front wall, and a fourth electronic rack rail connected to the first side wall proximate the rear wall.
 9. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 7, wherein the front wall is sloped rearwardly from the bottom to the top.
 10. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 9, wherein the front wall is sloped at an angle of approximately 15 degrees.
 11. The wall-mounted rack cabinet of claim 7 further comprising a mounting arm connected to the enclosure for supporting a computer display device.
 12. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 7, the rear wall having an opening, and the enclosure having a rear door pivotally connected to the rear wall to selectively cover the rear wall opening.
 13. The mobile rack cabinet of claim 7, wherein the enclosure has a width of approximately 23 inches, a height of approximately 28 inches and a depth of approximately 26 inches, permitting the cabinet to fit within a leg opening of an office desk.
 14. A mobile rack cabinet comprising: an enclosure having at least one opening; a rail rack support assembly mounted to and within the enclosure for supporting electronic components; a retractable door sized and shaped to fit within the opening; first and second pivot pins coupled to the door; and first and second rail supports mounted to and within the enclosure, each rail support having an elongated slotted track adapted to receive one of the pivot pins such that the pin can slide along the track, the track having a first end and a second end, the first end of the track being located towards the back of the enclosure, the second end of the track being located toward the front of the enclosure, each track having a recessed seat near the second end, the recessed seat being defined by a portion of the track that is vertically lower than an immediately adjacent portion of the track such that the track extends substantially vertically upward and then rearward from the second to the first end, the seat being sized and shaped to receive one of the pivot pins and to form a receptacle in which the pivot pin may rotate, the tracks configured to limit the movement of the door such that the door can translate from a first closed position in which the door substantially covers the opening to an extended position in which the door is pivoted away from the enclosure, by permitting the first and second pivot pins to rotate within the recessed portion of the tracks, and guide the movement of the door such that the door can translate from the extended position to a retracted position in which the door is at least partially retracted within the enclosure, by requiring that the first and second pivot pins be translated first vertically by lifting the door upwards, and then translated substantially horizontally by sliding the door at least partially into the enclosure. 